Government forces and allied militias began withdrawing from the mostly Druze city of Sweida in southern Syria on Thursday. It comes after Israeli strikes to defend the sect and US demands on Damascus to pull out.

France has called for an immediate end to what it described as “abuses targeting civilians” in the Syrian city of Sweida, following reports of summary executions and other violations allegedly

Minister of Health of Syria stated that Israeli aircraft prevented a medical convoy from entering the city, noting an airstrike targeting moving vehicles

Withdrawal follows announcement of truce, which a Druze spiritual leader says includes 'full integration of the province' into Syrian state, though other community leaders reject it

The attack by Israel came amid continuing unrest in the city of Suwayda, where local Sunni Bedouin tribes have been engaged in fierce clashes in recent days with fighters from Syria’s Druze minority, whom Israel views as a potential ally in Syria and claims to be intervening to protect.

Syria's army began withdrawing from violence-hit Sweida on Wednesday after Israeli strikes on Damascus and US calls for a pullback from the Druze-majority city, state media said. Washington, which

Syria's defence minister announced a ceasefire shortly after government forces entered a key city in Sweida province on Tuesday.

Injured government soldiers and civilians were treated after Syrian troops moved into the city of Sweida and surrounding areas after clashes broke out between Druze militiamen and Sunni Bedouin tribes in southern Sweida province.